Amy (Tianyuan) Li (She/Her)
ArchE Program, Assistant Professor
Email: tianyuan.li@uwaterloo.ca
Location: CPH-3611F
Status: Active
Biography
Dr. Li studies strategies to improve indoor air quality and reduce occupant exposure to airborne pollutants in residential and commercial buildings. Her research is focused on smart ventilation and filtration systems that use sensors to automate system operation. She also investigates the impact of occupant activities on indoor pollutant sources and explores the effectiveness of occupant-centric approaches to mitigate these sources. In addition, Dr. Li is working with an interdisciplinary team that includes experts in engineering, epidemiology, medicine, and knowledge translation to improve indoor air quality in community spaces and congregate settings and explore the relationship between indoor air quality and public health policy and guidance. Dr. Li serves as a member of the Indoor Air Quality Advisory Group of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, which is working to create guidelines for indoor air quality.
Research Interests
- Indoor air quality
- Smart ventilation and filtration
- Radon monitoring and mitigation
- Air cleaning strategies
- Indoor pollutant monitoring
- Filter forensics
- IAQ in community spaces
- Impact of occupant behaviour on IAQ
- Sustainable buildings
Education
- 2021, Doctorate Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada
- 2016, Bachelor of Applied Science Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada
Selected/Recent Publications
- Du B, Reda I, Licina D, Kapsis C, Qi D, Candanedo J, Li T. 2024. Estimating Air Change Rate in Mechanically Ventilated Classrooms Using a Single CO2 Sensor and Automated Data Segmentation. Environmental Science & Technology, 58 (42), 18788-18799. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02797
- Li T, Shapiro MA, Heidarinejad M, Stephens B. 2024. Ten questions concerning building electrification Building and Environment, 261, 111653. DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111653
- Katz A, Li T, Osei-Twum J, James L, Buhariwala, P, Siegel JA, O'Campo P. 2024. Emergency Knowledge Translation (KT): Compensating for gaps in public health response to COVID-19 using a direct KT approach BMC Public Health, 2024, 2682. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-20151-2
- Li T, Wan Y, Diamond ML, Siegel JA. 2024. Quantitative filter forensics for allergens and SVOCs in residential buildings in Toronto, Canada. Building and Environment, 266, 112070. DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.112070
- Sparks M, Farahbakhsh I, Anand M, Bauch CT, Conlon KC, East JD, Li T, Lickley MJ, Garcia-Menendez F, Monier E, Saari RK. 2023. Health and equity implications of individual adaptation to air pollution in a changing climate. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(5), e2215685121. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215685121
- Katz A, Li T, James L, Siegel JA, O'Campo P. 2023. Systematically omitting indoor air quality: substandard guidance for shelters, group homes and long-term care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critical Public Health. DOI: 10.1080/09581596.2023.2262736
- Li T, Siegel JA. 2021. The impact of control strategies on filtration performance. Energy & Buildings, 251, 111378. DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111378
- Li T, Siegel JA. 2021. Assessing the impact of filtration systems in indoor environments with effectiveness. Building and Environment, 87, 107389. DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107389
- Matava C, Collard V, Siegel J, Denning S, Li T, Du B, Fiadjoe J, Fiset P, Engelhardt T. 2020. Use of a high-flow extractor to reduce aerosol exposure in tracheal intubation. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 125, E363-366. DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2020.07.014
- Li T, Siegel JA. 2020. In-situ efficiency of filters in residential central HVAC systems. Indoor Air, 30(2), 315-325. DOI: 10.1111/ina.12633
In The News
- A smoky summer is expected in parts of Canada as wildfire season begins. Here's how to prepare now
- After an epic year of wildfires, Canada's air isn't as clean as it used to be
- Faculty researchers awarded $900K from government
- ‘Everyone wants clean air’: Waterloo parent speaks out over public school board’s addressment of air quality in classrooms, CTV News - Kitchener
- Wildfire smoke is in our homes. Here's how to clear out toxic particles, CBC News
- Masking up (again) and other ways to protect yourself from wildfire smoke, CBC News: The National
- School Airflow Upgrades Years Away, Winnipeg Free Press
- Air quality CO2 sensor project will target public school classrooms, CBC News - Kitchener-Waterloo
- Is an $800 purifier best to clean your home's air? Marketplace tested 5 top brands and their claims, CBC Market Place
Graduate studies
- Currently considering applications from graduate students. A completed online application is required for admission; start the application process now.
- Has Sole-Supervisory Privilege Status (SSPS) status